By Kristin Kuchno

Reese Jackson is no longer president and CEO of Chesapeake (Va.) Regional Healthcare, effective May 30.

He had been in the role since 2016, a health system spokesperson said in a June 1 statement.

“Mr. Jackson is thanked for his service and wished the best in his future endeavors,” the spokesperson said.

Amber Egyud, DNP, RN, was appointed interim CEO, effective immediately. She has held leadership roles within the organization since 2017, including as COO and chief nursing officer, and has played a key role in the hospital’s strategic growth by expanding service lines and improving quality outcomes.

“The priority of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare remains unchanged: supporting our patients, our community, and the employees who make this organization strong,” the spokesperson said.

The leadership transition comes as more than 500 patients have filed a lawsuit against Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and several current and former executives, including Mr. Jackson and two of his predecessors. The lawsuit alleges the hospital failed to stop a physician from performing medically unnecessary procedures for nearly a decade.

The lawsuit follows a January 2025 indictment against the hospital. It faces federal criminal charges of healthcare fraud tied to the same physician’s misconduct. The hospital pleaded not guilty and previously said the indictment was “unfounded and an excessive overreach” by the government.

“The allegations that form the primary basis for this lawsuit were taken by Dr. Javaid Perwaiz — who has never been an employee of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare (CRH),” a spokesperson said in a statement in December regarding the lawsuit. “His actions, for which he is now serving a lengthy prison sentence, occurred without the knowledge of the organization. CRH strives to provide the best care to its patients, including through its medical staff physicians. Unfortunately, privacy laws prohibit us from commenting further on these allegations.”

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare is a health system that operates Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, according to its website.